From Guatemala City, to Antigua, and finally in Quetzeltenago

Hola!!! It's been a couple days since I've had the opportunity to update, but it's been a busy journey already! We left Guatemala City yesterday after touring the central plaza and visiting a school in the municipal garbage dump (one of the most famous in the world) that attempts to take children out of working in the dump and offering them an education. The woman who runs it was so motivated and kind-hearted, and it was great to have a first look into the social and political situations of Guatemala. We headed to the colonial city of Antigua, which was breathtaking with its cobble streets and 17th century architecture. We had the afternoon free to explore on our own, and then met up with the group for dinner at an Italian restaurant... in Guatemala. Dinner was followed by a talk with a Guatemalan man who was arrested and exiled during the civil war, and it was incredibly interesting to really begin to analyze and question the factors that led to such a brutal war for 36 years. With the United States' civil war so long ago, it's hard to imagine living in a country where there were civil conflicts happening in our own lifetime, much of which was horribly corrupted and disgustingly violent.

On a lighter note, the group ended the night by experiencing the night life in Antigua, which is a rather popular tourist spot. The exchange rate for money is about 7.7 quetzales for one American dollar, and we were getting drinks for about 50 cents! Definitely lent itself well for a fun night. We bar hopped to a couple different places, most of which were filled with American and European tourists, but it was awesome just to bond with the other kids in the program. There's only 13 of us, and we've already started to mesh so well! I feel really comfortable with everyone (I don't know if it's out of necessity or just because everyone is so great) but it's been such a great experience so far.

We made it to Quetzeltenago where we'll be staying for the next month, and the town is absolutely beautiful. We're at about 6000 feet above sea level, so the temperature is like the most perfect fall day. The drive wound us through the lush mountains that were filled with the most adorable little villages and farming communities. We currently have our first downtime in a while, so I've decided to chill in the room while it's raining outside.

Talk again soon!
Becca